Amanda L. Sharpe, Ph.D.

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Summary

The Sharpe lab is interested in understanding the contribution of neuropeptides such as proopiomelanocortin, neurotensin, and corticotropin releasing factor to addiction, obesity, and age-related cognitive impairment, and in the development of therapeutics to treat these conditions. We use behavioral (operant conditioning), anatomical, pharmacological, and molecular approaches to address our research questions, often in combination with genetic mouse models. We are interested in the normal physiological role for these neuropeptides, as well as the adaptations that occur in this neurocircuitry under the conditions of obesity, food restriction, and chronic drug use. The long-term goals of our lab are to 1) elucidate the pharmacology and neurocircuitry involved in the regulation of appetite for and consumption of rewards (both food and drug), and 2) to determine the contribution of hypothalamic neuropeptides to age-related conditions such as obesity and cognitive decline.

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Grants

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Publications & Presentations

11. Logan S, Owen D, Chen S, Chen W J, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A, Sharpe A, Loos M, Koopmans B, Richardson A, Sonntag W E. Simultaneous assessment of cognitive function, circadian rhythm, and spontaneous activity in aging mice. GeroScience. 2018; 40 : 123-137

12. Logan S, Owen D, Chen S, Chen W J, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A, Sharpe A, Loos M, Koopmans B, Richardson A, Sonntag W E. Simultaneous assessment of cognitive function, circadian rhythm, and spontaneous activity in aging mice. GeroScience. 2018; 40 : 123-137

13. Sharpe A, Varela E, Beckstead M J. Systemic PD149163, a neurotensin receptor 1 agonist, decreases methamphetamine self-administration in DBA/2J mice without causing excessive sedation. PloS one. 2017; 12 : e0180710

14. McCall N M, Kotecki L, Dominguez-Lopez S, de Marron Fernandez Velasco E, Carlblom N, Sharpe A, Beckstead M J, Wickman K. Selective Ablation of GIRK Channels in Dopamine Neurons Alters Behavioral Effects of Cocaine in Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017; 42 : 707-715

15. Bardgett M E, Sharpe A, Toney G M. Activation of corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla is required for glucose-induced sympathoexcitation. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. 2014; 307 : E944-53

Grants

6. Effects of dietary restriction on age-related neurophysiological adaptations: from behavior to single dopaminergic neurons. NIH. Start Date: 2016. End Date: 2021.

7. Effects of obesity on proopiomelanocortin regulation of reward and feeding. Non-federal. Start Date: 2018. End Date: 2019.

Awards and Honors

1. . Harold Hamm Diabetes Center Travel Award. Date: 2019.


2. University of the Incarnate Word. Feik School of Pharmacy Faculty of the Year. Date: 2017.

Education

1. Degree: Post-doctoral fellowship. Oregon Health Sciences University. Date: 2008.


2. Degree: Ph D. Wake Forest University. Date: 2002.


3. Degree: B. Pharm. Ohio Northern University. Date: 1997.

Administrative Assignments

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